Position Summary

An Machine Operator is a specialty position in our bakery. They are valuable members of the department’s operation focused on ensuring the assigned machinery is set up ahead of the team’s arrival, monitoring the machine throughout the day, and responsible for all change overs needed on the line. They are responsible for routine maintenance identifying that all issues are brought to the Maintenance departments attention in a timely manner. An Operator will also verify the labeling packing configurations and crating/ palletizing the finished products before handing them over for storage in the warehouse or shipping. This position requires the ability to act as a member of a highly functioning team.

Essential Functions

• Review daily schedule at the start of each shift to determine the days production requirements, utilizing this information to set up the correct lines, with the appropriate material, supplies, and machinery to reduce downtime and maximize efficiency.

• Recommends improvements in current methods, equipment, operating procedures and working conditions.

• Sets up, operates, adjusts, and performs minor maintenance on production and packaging machines.

• Required to maintain efficiency standards based on machine standards.

• Be responsible for equipment set-up and change overs and running production lines as needed for various food products quickly and efficiently including line cleaning and testing of assigned machinery

• Make sure that inventory paperwork including lot number tracing is done correctly.

• Make sure that lot numbers are affixed correctly to all products.

• Report malfunctions or errors to maintenance staff immediately and relay important information about the issues

• Ensuring product standards, specifications, and customer requirements are met.

• Troubleshoot issues under pressure and perform root cause analysis with corrective actions to prevent same issues from arising. Collaborating with engineers, supervisors, and maintenance departments to enhance processes, procedures and training methods.

• Responsible to work in the role of general production worker when required.

• All functions and duties following written and verbal instructions.

• Maintain a professional and courteous attitude towards co-workers, management, customers, and clients.

• Requires flexibility to fill in for absent positions in production or packaging areas including an availability for other shifts including those on weekends and holidays.

• Requires all positions to utilize basic computer software for scheduling, requesting time off, setting up and maintaining pay and personal information as set forth by HR.

Operations: Productivity & Cost Management

• Follows weekly schedules for production and packing.

• Works Diligently to develops continuous improvement initiatives making your team and line faster, with a higher level of accuracy.

• Works to minimize waste in product and materials.

Required Training – to be done within 90 days of employment.

• OSHA Lockout / Tagout Compliance Training completion

• Expected to learn Basic Good Manufacturing Practices and Hygiene, Work Instructions for assigned work area, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures for assigned work area, Standard Operating Procedures for assigned work area, Safety Procedures for assigned work area, and Quality at the Source testing and documentation procedures for assigned work area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 – 6 months experience in department or in a similar setting preferred.

• Able to read, write and understand instructions, warnings, labels and postings in English effectively

• Focused on attention to detail, a sense of autonomy and team spirit.

• Effective communication skills to work with production, QA, maintenance, and management staff. - Should have good verbal and written skills.

• Support other machine operators to ensure no workers become fatigued or distracted during daily operation.

• Must be able to stand and walk for an 8-hour day, lifting to 80 lbs.

• Position will require the ability to bend, stoop, and twist, pull, push, reach above shoulder level, wheel product in, out and around the bakery environment to operate machinery safely utilizing fingers, wrist, hands, arms, and legs.

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to frequent changes that occur on the packing line.

• Performs other duties which are deemed by management to be an integral part of the job, including but not limited to fulfillment of work schedules, adherence to attendance policies, and other applicable operating rules, policies and procedures as outlined.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Ability to learn bakery production processes, equipment operation, food safety requirements, sanitation standards, and proper food handling procedures.

• Basic math and counting skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing production demands.

• Strong attendance, reliability, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Ability to speak, read, and write in English, Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including full shifts and overtime as required.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Frequent bending, twisting, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching overhead, and moving products or equipment throughout the facility.

• Ability to safely work around moving machinery and production equipment.

• Ability to work in varying temperatures and production environments typical of a bakery manufacturing facility.

Additional Expectations

Employees are expected to maintain compliance with all company policies, attendance standards, food safety requirements, and operational procedures. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or reassign job duties and responsibilities based on operational needs.